Cleverley hopes worst is over

Manchester United's Tom Cleverley is aiming to be back at his best next term after an injury-riddled campaign.

Last Updated: 23/05/12 12:43pm

Tom Cleverley: Manchester United midfielder raring to go for new season

Manchester United starlet Tom Cleverley is aiming to be back at his best next term after an injury-riddled campaign.

Cleverley, 22, is highly rated at Old Trafford and was handed a new four-year deal last October, confirming the esteem he is held in.

However, after impressing during the early stages of the campaign, the talented midfielder's season was cut short by an ankle injury that he sustained in October.

But he is determined to return stronger than ever next season.

Unluckiest

"It has been a nightmare at times but I am only 22 and have around 15 years ahead of me yet. I just hope I have got it all over and done with now," he told the Manchester Evening News.

"There were times during the season when I thought I was the unluckiest footballer in the world.

"From a great start it became the hardest season of my life but it has made me mentally stronger.

"I've always had to cope with disappointments in my career. I had two injuries over the years (undergoing shoulder surgery and having a knee problem in loan spells at Leicester and Watford respectively) but I got through them."

Gutted

He added: "This was the hardest yet. If you had said to me after the Everton game in October that I wouldn't start another Premier League game in the season I would have been massively gutted.

"But that turned out to be the case and it was tough to come to terms with.

"There is nothing more exciting in life than to be playing for Manchester United. To have that taken away is very hard to deal with.

"I don't feel I am owed anything. I've had some bad luck and now I have just got to get on with it."